Dragon boat racing arrived in Ithaca in 2004, when members of the Ithaca Asian American Association founded the Ithaca Dragon Boat Club after receiving two dragon boats from Dalian, China. Before dragon boat racing was a competitive sport, it formed part of a holiday — the Dragon Boat Festival. In dragon boat racing, everyone besides the drummer and steerer has the same role. According to Somchanhmavong, dragon boat racing was introduced to British rowers in Hong Kong while it was still under British control. While many Ithaca Dragon Boat Club members chose to pursue dragon boat racing for health, community and recreation, Somchanhmavong said that for others like herself, dragon boat racing also connects them with their cultures.
